How To Spot a FAKE QR Code | Aura

Are QR codes safe to scan? Not always.

Chances are, you’ve scanned a QR code to see a restaurant’s menu or even to pay your bill.

But scammers have started to take advantage of our trust in QR codes.

HOW QR CODE SCAMS WORK:

- Anyone can create a QR code using free online software.
- Scammers make their OWN QR codes that send you to malicious phishing sites or even downloads malware onto your device that allows the hacker to spy on you.
- The fraudsters then replace a legitimate QR code with their own.
- When you scan the “fake” QR code, any information you provide — such as your credit card number — goes right to the scammer.

THE WORST QR CODE SCAMS TO WATCH OUT FOR:

1. Parking meters and other contactless payments. Any QR code placed in public is an opportunity for scammers.

2. Fake QR codes sent in emails. Most email providers can’t scan QR codes to tell if they’re legitimate or not. These scam emails often claim to come from a retailer you trust (like Amazon or Walmart) and ask you to scan a QR code to verify a recent purchase.

3. Tampered QR codes in restaurants. Scammers place their own QR codes over legitimate ones to scam you.

4. Fake QR codes sent in the mail. Fraudsters will send mail with QR codes that claim to offer a discount or special deal. But these are just a scam to get you to scan them.

5. QR codes on unexpected packages. If you receive a package in the mail you didn’t expect, don’t scan the QR code to “return” it. This is a scam!

6. Crypto QR code scams. Scammers will claim you’re either getting in on a great crypto investment or need to pay a fine in cryptocurrencies and send you a QR code to exchange your money for tokens. But once you do, they steal your crypto and disappear.

DID YOU SCAN A FAKE QR CODE?

Consider protecting yourself from scammers, fraudsters, and identity thieves with Aura.

With Aura, you get industry-leading identity theft protection, constant credit monitoring, phishing and malware protection, 24/7 support from fraud resolution specialists, and $1,000,000 in insurance for eligible losses due to identity theft.

#scam #scams #qrcodescam

[-th_CAV]

I decided to watch this video because I was looking for ways to determine if a QR code was fraudulent, or not. This video has a lot of good, valuable information. I was also considering sharing it on my Facebook and to other friends - - UNTIL the end of the video turned into a sales pitch to signup for and use AURA ! As much as I think this video has hugely valuable information, I WILL NOT promote a business that uses "click bait" in its titling of a video just to get the viewers to perpetuate a business!

[winnysneece]

Wow! I had no idea about fake QR codes until I watched this video. Thank you for explaining this.